Venturers in action

Someone riding a wave on a paddleboard at Penrith

Then off to the Blue Mountains for Canyoning. We are in the canyon preparing to descend the next cliff.

Teamwork is required here to climb the rocks. The water here was close to freezing. People were waiting in waiste deep water for their turn to climb.

The scenery in the canyon was amazing. We were more than a hundred metres down in the canyon in some parts. The water was freezing. The expedition leaders said that wetsuits were only required in winter - even they said how cold the water was in parts! Some of the pools that did not get any sunlight literally took your breath away when swimming in them.

Next was abseiling in the Blue Mountains. Here we wait in the shade for our turn. The heat was unbearable, which was a contrast to the days before in the canyons frezing water

A Venturer preparing to abseil.

Some people were not so sure, as we were abseiling without gloves about 40 metres. Lets just say that hands were a little 'warm' by the bottom!

Fabulous views from the abseiling point.

The last day of the expedition was off to Wee Jasper for the High Ropes Confidence Course, which was about 10 metres off the ground. The Venturers are attached to the safety wires via abseiling harnesses the whole time.

The High Ropes Course has wires to walk, nets to climb, a log to walk, and finally a bell to ring to indicate completion of the course.

Venturers had to walk across this log without holding on with their hands. Some found this part of the high ropes course the most challenging. All completed it successfully without falling though.

Forward abseiling was one of the activities on the High Ropes Course.

The 'Leap of Faith' - a 10 metre pole where the Venturer had to climb to the top then leap into the air for a trapeze about 2 metres away. Not an easy task. Many tried and missed. Some were successful. One girl was determined it was not going to get the best of her and tried 3 times before getting the trapeze.

'Skanking' in the dark in the town we were staying at.

The whole Extremely Rapid Expedition (56 people) slept in the scout hall. As you can see there is not much room. 'The big one said roll over, they all rolled over, and little one fell out...'

The Extremely Rapid expedition at Wee Jasper on the last day.

On site activity - beach volleyball was popular day and night, as it was lit with flood lights.

Crate climbing - not as easy as you might think. 12 crates high here - the record is 22.

How high can you go?

"Purple Pete's Hair Salon". Hair dying was very popular at the Venture. Even the leaders got into it. Puple Pete in the yellow shirt and our leader Steve with bright yellow hair centre middle row.

The 'Extreme Victorians' - the Victorian Contingent over 100 Venturers and Leaders, the second biggest contingent.

On site activity - 'Skool o Farts'. Plaster casts & face painting also very popular.

Swimming in the River at 'Cassarina Sands' aka 'the Beach'

Closing Cermenoy dance party. The cloud is dust.

The Closing Cermenony dance party - more dust.